Alliance Air to connect Imphal to metropolitan cities at subsidized rate

Imphal: Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh on Wednesday launched the additional flight service of Alliance Air — “Imphal- Guwahati- Imphal, Imphal-Kolkata-Imphal, Imphal-Dimapur-Imphal” under Viability Gap Funding scheme of the state.

‘The air tickets will be offered at a subsidized rate twice a week on these new flight routes’.

The launching function was held at the conference hall of Imphal International Airport, in the presence of Union minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu through video conferencing.

Manipur has been passing through a difficult time and the people are unable to use the highways for travel because of the crisis (Meitei-Kuki conflict), said Biren.

Lakhs of people of the state are travelling by air and the high cost of air tickets has significantly affected the common people of the State, he added.

The airfare for these routes has been capped at a maximum of Rs 5000, said Biren on a social media post.

The chief minister, during the launching function, urged the Civil Aviation ministry to constitute a team to examine the pricing of air tickets. He requested the provision of more frequent flights directly connecting Imphal with major cities such as Kolkata, New Delhi, and Bangalore.

Biren expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union  inister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu for providing additional flight service of Alliance Air in Manipur.

He appreciated the CEO of Alliance Air for taking up such initiative during this difficult period.

Union minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu said the inauguration of these new flights will bring the state closer with the rest of the country. The new routes would enhance trade, travel and tourism in the state and also in providing employment, boosting the economy and empowering the people of the state, he added.

Transport minister Khashim Vashum said the introduction of new routes will improve connectivity between people. This initiative will create new opportunities for travellers visiting the state and boost its economic activities, he added.